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After a record-breaking 10th season, NBC’s top-rated summer series “America’s Got Talent” returns with some big news: “Got Talent” creator and executive producer Simon Cowell joins the judges panel alongside Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel. Nick Cannon is back as host and the series returns to Los Angeles this summer, with live shows broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. Courtesy of NBC

After a record-breaking 10th season, NBC’s top-rated summer series “America’s Got Talent” returns with some big news: “Got Talent” creator and executive producer Simon Cowell joins the judges panel alongside Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel. Nick Cannon is back as host and the series returns to Los Angeles this summer, with live shows broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. Courtesy of NBC

He’s back: Simon Cowell joins ‘America’s Got Talent’ judging team

It’s out with Howard Stern and in with Simon Cowell when “America’s Got Talent” returns for its 11th season to the NBC lineup on May 31. He will join Howie Mandel, Mel B And Heidi Klum as the judges who will make or break dreams.

Cowell has wanted to be on the show for years.

“I came down to watch the show being filmed. I was sitting in the audience, thinking they are very good, the panel. But I was kind of hoping one of them would hurt themselves. Not badly, but enough that I would have to go ‘I’m here,’ because it really, really looked so much fun, this show,” Cowell tells journalists gathered for a summer press day by the network.

He was offered the job five years ago, but he was so tied up with other talent competition programs he couldn’t take it on.

This feels like perfect timing.

Cowell’s always been a perfect fit for that judging spot. Both Piers Morgan and Howard Stern brought an honesty to their critiques that gave the show some bite. The other three judges are nice, but these shows need a tough judge.

“American Idol” wouldn’t have gone into a second season without Cowell as one of the original judges.

Look for Cowell to have plenty opportunities to dish out his acerbic brand of honesty. They filmed on episode where the talent was so bad Cowell told the other judges that he had lost the will to live.

But, the good acts outweigh the bad.

“When it’s good, of course it’s worth it. Because when you’re there, when you discover a star or you think that could become a star, you’ll never forget that moment, never forget that audition,” Cowell says.

The good acts don’t see the kind of verbal salvos that have earned Cowell a reputation as a tough guy. Even his fellow judges were a little concerned about him.

Mandel knew the kind of straight-forward approach Cowell has taken on every show, and he didn’t know how that would hit with the “America’s Got Talent” judging panel. He says it became apparent quickly that he Cowell was a perfect fit.

“It is more fun than we have ever had in the history of this show,” Mandel says.

You are #^%$@& right

The kind of language that will get a movie an R rating is being used by younger and younger people. That means there are going to be times in films where young actors will fire off a few rounds of obscenities.

The character is 13 going on 30. That didn’t help Gosling and co-star Russell Crowe from feeling a little uncomfortable in the scenes where the teen spouts profanity.

Gosling admits he was more nervous about the scenes.

“I feel like the film walks the line and probably crosses it in a few places,” Gosling says. “You have to be careful how you handle that stuff. You almost have to shoot those scenes like fight scenes where you carefully coordinate them so all the jokes land.”

Angourie had no problem with the scenes because everyone was so cautious.

“I go to school and there are guys who use that language. I’ve heard it all,” Angourie says. “Everybody in my class swears. I don’t really care. It’s just a word.”

She did notice that Gosling was particularly protective because he has a young child.

What made Angourie more nervous was when she was asked to drive a car in the movie. Swearing at a young age is one thing. Being behind the wheel of a car is different.

Once she explained she had never driven a car, the crew quickly added a small cart to the front that mean the vehicle could be driven by one of the stunt men.

Other news

Farewell: The showtime series, “House of Lies” will wrap up in style. The final episode, airing at 9 p.m. June 13 on Showtime, will feature the corporate sharks in Cuba. The episode marks the first time an American scripted series was shot in Cuba since the restoration of diplomatic relations.

All in color: AMC has ordered the documentary series, “Heroes and Villains: The History of Comic Books” to be executive produced by Robert Kirkman and David Alpert (“The Walking Dead”). The six-part one-hour documentary series, set to debut in 2017, will explore the stories, people, and events that have transformed the world of comic books.

About Rick Bentley

Want to know why the format changed on your favorite radio station
or what's going on with your favorite TV reporter? Rick Bentley tracks all the moves in the Fresno-area broadcast media. Oh,
and he tracks Valley folks making it in Hollywood. Email Rick at rbentley@fresnobee.com or call him at 559-441-6355.